The next generation

There was lots of invertebrate activity in the garden today.

This emperor dragonfly spent some considerable time on our pond, laying eggs.  And in the background you can see a pair of unidentified blue damselflies doing the same thing.  I was surprised how close the damselflies flew to the large dragonfly, but presumably they know that she is far too busy to be interested in a snack.

Also on the pond were large red damselflies.  In the meadow, there were many meadow brown butterflies, including one that remained browsing on an orchid for a long time (first extra).  And several six spot burnet moths browsing contentedly on the knapweed.  And in almost every photo I took, there are tiny little beetles, which I think are pollen beetles.

I also saw a female broad bodied chaser - she must have been recently emerged, she was absolutely gleaming yellow.